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The Remarkable Oyster

All You Need to Know About Oysters

Oysters are one of those foods that prompt a strong reaction. There are people who’ll grimace in horror with just the idea of eating oysters. Honestly, the slimy, quivering things to eat raw can turn some stomachs. But there are those who love the bivalves and some are even connoisseurs who talk about their tastes and texture, great recipes they make, and their known health benefits.

Oysters are members of the mollusk family which includes clams, mussels, and scallops. Their creamy flesh inside with its delicate briny flavor is protected by two hard and rough irregular-shaped shells. The grow wild in varying conditions from brackish to very salty waters. With their different varieties, oysters are only of 5 species – Pacific Oysters (or Japanese Oyster), Kumamoto Oysters, European Flat Oysters, Atlantic Oysters and Olympia Oysters. Their main differences lie in the size and texture of their shells and also in the type of water they grow in.

They are good for the environment. Oysters clean the water they’re in, filtering gallons upon gallons a day. Their shells are calcium-laden and when put into your garden soil, will improve the soil’s pH balance, add nutrients to the plants and strengthen their cell walls, leading to healthier, brighter flowers.

Prepared raw, fried or grilled, oysters are packed with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, known as brain and heart health boosters. Plus, oysters have enough zinc, known as an aphrodisiac, but is also excellent for the body’s immune system. They are also a rich source of vitamin B12 where one cup serving contains 362 percent of the recommended daily intake of this vitamin. And as a great source of protein they strengthen skin, nails and hair as well.

Oysters are tastier in the cold months of the year. During warm weather, oysters spawn during May, June, July, and August (months without the letter ‘R’), when they are thinner, translucent, and less tasty. They easily spoil in warmer months and harder to keep them cold in summer.

However, oysters from oyster farms are better taken cared of than oysters in the wild, decreasing the risk of pollutants and contaminants. Farmed oysters are safe from invading snails and crabs as well. Know that more than 85 percent of the world’s wild oyster reefs have been lost through invasive species and to climate change.

Satisfying your Oyster Craving in Lynnwood

Dine on our fresh and farm-sourced oysters in Lynnwood. They are a remarkable health source for meat-lovers, vegetarians and just plain seafood lovers.